Three Obediences and Four Virtues

The Three Obediences and Four Virtues (Chinese: 三从四德; pinyin: Sāncóng Sìdé) were a set of basic moral principles specifically for women in Confucianism. The two terms ("three obediences" and "four virtues") first appeared in the Book of Etiquette and Ceremonial and in the Rites of Zhou respectively.^[1]

Three obediences

The three obediences for a woman were to obey:

1. her father as a daughter (Chinese: 未嫁从父; pinyin: Wèijià cóngfù)
2. her husband as a wife (Chinese: 既嫁从夫; pinyin: Jìjià cóngfū)
3. her sons in widowhood (Chinese: 夫死从子; pinyin: Fūsǐ cóngzǐ)

Four virtues

The four feminine virtues were:

1. morality (Chinese: 妇德; pinyin: Fùdé)
2. proper speech (Chinese: 妇言; pinyin: Fùyán)
3. modest manner/appearance (Chinese: 妇容; pinyin: Fùróng)
4. diligent work (Chinese: 妇功; pinyin: Fùgōng)

References